Indian shares opened higher on Thursday as crude oil prices dropped below $71 per barrel after Qatar said Iran and the U.S. made "positive progress" in indirect talks that concluded on Wednesday.
The benchmark Nifty 50 NSE:NIFTY rose 0.23% to 24,062.2, while the BSE Sensex BSE:SENSEX added 0.21% to 77,083.14, as of 9:15 a.m. IST.
All 16 major sectors advanced. The broader small-caps NSE:CNXSMALLCAP and mid-caps NSE:CNXMIDCAP rose 0.4% each.
Iran and U.S. negotiators spent two days in Doha discussing maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and unfreezing Iran's funds, two critical issues under the initial agreement, Reuters reported, citing sources.
The next meeting will take place after funeral processions for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is due to be buried on July 9, Qatar's Foreign Ministry said.